To the Cape of Good Hope and back

Cape Town, South Africa

Erin and Sarah picked me up in the Tazz a little after breakfast and we set out for Cape Point, which is the south-western most point in Africa. Along the way, we termed the weather “manic depressive” — clear, sunny skies battled soupy fog as we made our way out of Cape Town.

Our first stop was Boulders Beach, home to a (relatively) famous colony of African Penguins that have resided there since 1982. According to an informative placard, “because of their donkey-like braying call, they were previously named the Jackass Penguin.” Cute jackasses.

Finished with the oohs and aahs, we got back in the car and continued south to the Cape of Good Hope. Suddenly, turning a corner, we came upon a herd of a dozen baboons crossing the highway. There was more cute overload as two babies played atop a stone wall.

Once inside the park, we passed a couple of ostriches grazing and then made our way to the Cape Point lighthouse.

From the summit, one is said to see the Atlantic Ocean in the west and the Indian Ocean in the east. Unfortunately, with the thick clouds rolling in, we saw neither.

The Tazz took us even further south to the terminus at the Cape of Good Hope, and after patiently waiting our turn, we snapped the obligatory tourist shot.

Returning on the west coast, we passed through the small fishing towns of Scarborough and Soetwater before arriving in Noordhoek, where we had lunch at the Food Barn, a restaurant I’d read about in the New York Times.

All of its ingredients are sourced within 30 miles. We split a wild mushroom, fresh herb and ricotta open ravioli, served with fontina and black truffle.

Next, the rack of lamb in an herb breaded crust with caramelized onions and black olive Tatin and rich basil jus hit the spot.

We were stuffed from lunch so headed to Camps Bay, an upscale beach-side town on the other side of Table Mountain, and walked along the water.

With the sun setting, we headed to the Mount Nelson Hotel, where anyone who is anyone stays when visiting CT. We hoped to spot some celebs while drinking champagne in Planet Bar.

After a couple of drinks, we continued the night at Ginja & Shoga, which received a Top 10 Eat Out Johnny Walker Award. Unfortunately, my Johnny Walker black label was anything but — which led to a confrontation with the bartender who was blatantly filling up top shelf bottles of booze with the crap well. He eventually comped us everything.

Onward we went, hitting the bars of Long Street and staying out far too late while drinking beers and playing foosball with locals.

It doesn’t get more South African than this.